RICHMOND, Ind. — A Richmond man has been charged with child exploitation after investigators said they determined he had downloaded images of children engaged in sexual activity.

The exploitation charge filed against 33-year-old Joshua Allen Clarkson last week in Wayne Superior Court 1 is a Level 4 felony carrying up to 12 years in prison.

Clarkson was also charged with two counts of possession of child pornography, a Level 5 felony with a maximum six-year sentence.

According to court documents, a detective with the Connersville Police Department in October began the investigation that led to Clarkson's arrest, based on a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Investigators said they determined Clarkson had used a social media app to gain access to photos showing "prepubescent females (under the age of 12) in a state of undress."

An affidavit said the children were "either nude, participating in sexual acts or posed provocatively."

During a Jan. 27 interview at the Richmond Police Department, Clarkson reportedly "admitted to being sexually attracted to minor children, specifically female children."

Clarkson was arrested on Saturday and was being held in the Wayne County Jail under a $25,000 bond.

Court records reflect no prior convictions for the Richmond man.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at [email protected].